Tips for a Long Distance Move
Are you faced with the challenge of a long-distance relocation? Moving long-distance, whether across the state or across the country, can be a daunting project. There are so many unknowns, it’s only natural to feel a little bit intimidated. But with some thought and planning, there’s no need to be frightened - it can actually be a fun adventure. Here are some tips to make your relocation go more smoothly.
Research the Area Online – Starting with TotalMove's town profiles, the web is full of tools to help you zero in on the neighborhoods that best fit your personality, lifestyle and needs.
Get Local Maps – It’s a good idea to look over a city before you move. Where is the local airport? What local towns are on the water? Where are the freeways, train stations and bus depots? Local maps can be purchased online or through your local AAA office.
Get Local News – A local newspaper can help to give you a feel for an area. What are the lead stories? What are the local current events? Who are the local leaders? What are the local sports teams? A lot of this info can be found online, but some local newspapers can be purchased at major bookstores, like Barnes & Noble.
Use Local Contacts – This is a good time to contact anyone you might know in town and get their advice on neighborhoods, the move, etc. Even if you’ve fallen out of touch, it’s nice to have a local friend to help you get settled.
Work with a Local, Experienced Real Estate Agent – Once you’re ready to start looking at properties, be sure to work with an experienced local agent. They should be able to give you an excellent assessment of local market conditions and, when you’re ready, send you online property listings.
Visit Before Moving –There’s no substitute for visiting a community in person before moving. Be sure to let your real estate agent know you’re coming and make appointments with them before you leave. You may also want to take this opportunity to meet someone from the area you'll be moving to - a little inside knowledge can really change how you view a neighborhood or town.
Visit More Than Once – If you’re planning a move that is a year or more away, make several trips to the town at different times of the year. This will give you a good feel for how the town can be in different seasons. If the area to which you are moving normally experiences extreme temperatures or weather, you may want to visit during that particular time of year so that you are aware of what it is like.
Visit Different Neighborhoods– A city often has numerous neighborhoods that aren’t anything alike. It can sometimes be difficult to judge what a neighborhood will be like until you visit it. It’s to your advantage to visit as many of those interesting neighborhoods as possible before moving.
Consider Children/Pets – If you have children or pets, be sure to consider their needs when relocating. This may go beyond good schools or a fenced in yard, but also include: local parks, traffic patterns and volume, local stores and doctors, etc.